Mission Planner II - Blue Ring

Blue Origin; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off

Education Support Program

Job summary

Blue Origin, located in Reston, VA, is seeking a Mission Planner to develop and maintain integrated mission schedules for the Blue Ring lifecycle. You will coordinate with engineering teams, payload customers, and operations personnel to translate mission objectives into executable plans while optimizing resources and ensuring customer satisfaction.

The role requires a BS in engineering or related field and 2+ years in systems engineering, spaceflight operations, flight dynamics, or mission

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in engineering or equivalent technical field.
• 2+ years in systems engineering, spaceflight operations, flight dynamics and/or satellite mission planning.
• Knowledge of satellite tasking, ground contact planning, activity planning, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, and/or orbit analysis.
• Experience with command and control systems or mission planning software platforms.
• Software development experience in Python or equivalent programming language.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong communication and coordination skills for interfacing with customers, engineering teams, and operations personnel.
• Ability to earn trust and collaborate with diverse backgrounds to achieve mission success.

Responsibilities

• Support real-time Blue Ring mission operations execution as an on-console flight crew member; nights, weekends, holidays as required by mission objectives, and on-call availability.
• Develop and maintain schedules for spacecraft operations, balancing priorities, customer activities, engineering tasks, and resources.
• Perform tactical scheduling of ground network resources and spacecraft activities to maximize mission effectiveness.
• Generate and validate command sequences and mission planning products for routine operations and events.
• Coordinate with astrodynamics, flight dynamics, and engineering teams to integrate trajectory planning into timelines.
• Support customer mission planning activities, translating requests into executable schedules with constraints.
• Perform deconfliction analysis to ensure compliance with constraints and priorities.
• Collaborate with mission planning software developers to capture constraints in planning tools.
• Support development of mission planning tools and automation capabilities to improve efficiency.

Skills

Mission planning

Orbital mechanics

Scheduling

Python

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

B.S. in engineering or related field

Tools

Mission planning software

Command and control systems

Job description

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We're working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit.

This role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is pioneering the development, manufacturing, and operation of Blue Ring, a groundbreaking space-mobility platform that unlocks unparalleled access to any orbit and the freedom to maneuver between orbits at will. With Blue Ring, our customers are empowered to go anywhere in cislunar or Earth orbit domains, redefine mission flexibility, and pursue bold new concepts that were once beyond reach. If you're energized by the idea of working with a platform capable of enabling missions without compromise, this is your moment to make history with us.

As a Mission Planner on the Service Operations Team, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining integrated mission schedules that enable successful spacecraft planning and operations throughout the Blue Ring lifecycle. You'll coordinate across engineering teams, payload customers, and operations personnel to translate mission objectives into executable plans while optimizing resource utilization. Your expertise in mission analysis, orbital mechanics, and scheduling will be essential in managing complex, multi-manifest spacecraft operations and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Join us in enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit earth - passion for our mission is required!

Special Mentions:

Based at Reston, VA, office. Relocation provided.

Responsibilities:

• Support real-time Blue Ring mission operations execution as an on-console flight crew member; operations primarily occur during business hours, with periods of shift work including nights, weekends, and holidays as required by mission objectives, and on-call availability for operational support.
• Develop and maintain schedules for spacecraft operations, balancing operational priorities, customer activities, engineering tasks, and resource constraints.
• Perform tactical scheduling of ground network resources and spacecraft activities to maximize mission effectiveness.
• Generate and validate command sequences and mission planning products for routine operations and mission-critical events.
• Coordinate with astrodynamics, flight dynamics, and engineering teams to integrate trajectory and maneuver planning into operational timelines.
• Support customer mission planning activities, translating customer requests into feasible, executable schedules while ensuring alignment with operational constraints.
• Perform deconfliction analysis to ensure all scheduled activities comply with spacecraft operational constraints, resource availability, and mission priorities.
• Collaborate with mission planning software developers and operations development teams to ensure operational constraints and requirements are properly captured and integrated into planning tools, supporting continuous alignment between system capabilities and mission execution needs.
• Support development of mission planning tools and automation capabilities to improve operational efficiency and scalability.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in engineering or equivalent technical field
• 2+ years of related experience in one or a combination of the following: systems engineering, spaceflight operations, flight dynamics and/or satellite mission planning
• Knowledge or experience with satellite tasking, ground contact planning, activity planning, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, and/or orbit analysis
• Experience with command and control systems or mission planning software platforms
• Software development experience in Python or equivalent programming language
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Strong communication and coordination skills for interfacing with customers, engineering teams, and operations personnel
• Ability to earn trust, build positive professional relationships, contribute to a culture of inclusion, and collaborate with individuals of diverse backgrounds to achieve mission success

Desired:

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
• Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) Eligible
• Demonstrated proficiency in orbital mechanics principles, satellite dynamics, and control theory, with a strong foundation in academic or professional experience
• Experience with hosted or separable payload mission planning and operations
• Knowledge of electric propulsion systems and low-thrust trajectory planning
• Familiarity with ground station networks, RF communications planning, and link budget analysis
• Experience developing and/or optimizing mission planning processes
• Experience with supporting pre-launch development of mission planning software and CONOPs

Culture Statement

Don't meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S.as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue's Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on 'Know Your Rights,' please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin's affirmative action plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us [e-mail]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.